Hearst San Simeon State Park
RV Guide

There are so many things to see along the trail system inside of San Simeon State Park. If you have your leashed dog with you, you can stroll along the Moonstone Boardwalk, which runs along the coastal area. The other trail in the park is not dog-friendly, so you will have to leave your furry friend behind if you want to hike along the three mile trail that runs through the Washburn Campground and parts of the San Simeon Natural Preserve. The trail is scenic and informative and offers hikers benches to rest, ocean overlooks, and interpretive signs for hikers to learn more about the area along the walk. The portion of the trail that passes through the wetland area is a designated wheelchair accessible trail so people of all abilities can enjoy the trail.

If you love the ocean and you love adventure, then you should spend some of your visit out on the waters of the Pacific Ocean. If you are an experienced sea kayaker, you can access the boat launch near the Leffingwell Landing Day-Use Area. If you don’t have a boat or kayaking is a new sport you’ve wanted to try, then contact one of the area’s kayak rentals or kayak tour facilities. Visit the park’s website for more detailed information on the recommended and reputable rental facilities close by the park.

The park has three day-use areas where visitors can spend time outside along the ocean. The Santa Rosa Day Use Area is located in the southernmost portion of the park. This area offers visitors places to park, lagoon overlooks, and access to the beach. The centrally located Leffingwell Landing Day-Use Area has a public beach with a boat launch, restrooms, and picnic area. It's also connected to the Moonstone Beach Boardwalk. Near the northern section of the park, close to the campground, is the Washburn Day Use Area. This area gives visitors places to hike, picnic, and have close access to restrooms.

Two of the park’s preserves, the Santa Rosa Creek Preserve and the San Simeon Natural Preserve are areas where nature lovers can go to seek out unusual plants and wildlife. The Creek Preserve is known for its wetland areas that support and house the endangered Tidewater Goby. If fish don’t interest you, the other wetland area, the San Simeon Natural Preserve, is known for the undisturbed plant communities and as the wintering site for monarch butterflies. If plants, nature, and wildlife interest you, pick up a brochure from the park office and spend your days seeking out the beautiful native and migratory species that inhabit the park.

One of the most exciting points of interest in the park is the elephant seal rookery. Guests who want to see elephant seals from a safe distance should visit the Elephant Seal Boardwalk. While the seals are visible year-round, the largest populations of seals can be seen in January, April, and October. The seals, who spend most of their time in the ocean, come to the rookery to rest, breed, give birth, and molt. The viewing areas are free and open year-round. The wheelchair accessible viewing points give everyone something exciting to see, and well-informed docents spend their time answering questions about the seals.

People interested in history, architecture, and art should plan to visit Hearst Castle, located about five miles away from the park. The Hearst Castle Visitor Center gives guests plenty of information about the origins of the Castle as well as details on William Randolph Hearst. While at the Visitor Center, you can view a movie at the Castle Theater or arrange a tour of the Castle itself. Guests to the vicinity will also learn about the Hearst Ranch, one of the largest working cattle ranches along the coast of California. The ranch is still a working ranch, and it specializes in grass-fed beef.